Used car guide

2008 Kia Sedona: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2008 Kia Sedonas, from 698 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

698MOT tests in 2025

53%pass first time (all 2008 cars: 57%)

6,100typical miles a year

2×the usual rate for suspension arm bushes and joints

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2008 Kia Sedonas than on all cars registered in 2008.

Suspension arm bushes and joints2× usual

Kia Sedona
22.8% All 2008 cars
11.3%

Failed outright at MOT: 3.6%, against 2.3% of all 2008 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

Rough price £120–£180 (one arm) ClickMechanic

At the viewing: Listen for clunks over bumps and feel for the steering wandering. Worn arm bushes show as cracked rubber near the wheels.
Suspension arm3.7× usual

Kia Sedona
13.8% All 2008 cars
3.7%

Failed outright at MOT: 2.7%, against 0.4% of all 2008 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

Rough price £120–£180 (one arm) ClickMechanic

At the viewing: Listen for clunks over bumps and feel for the steering wandering. Worn arm bushes show as cracked rubber near the wheels.
Track rod ends2.3× usual

Kia Sedona
12.8% All 2008 cars
5.5%

Failed outright at MOT: 5.4%, against 2.5% of all 2008 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

Rough price £50–£150 (one end, plus about £30–£50 if it needs a wheel alignment) ClickMechanic

At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.
Rigid brake pipes1.8× usual

Kia Sedona
17% All 2008 cars
9.6%

Failed outright at MOT: 3%, against 1.5% of all 2008 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

Rough price £100–£400 our estimate

At the viewing: Ask to see underneath, or check the MOT advisories: corroded brake or fuel pipes get worse every year and fail the MOT when they do.
Braking performance2× usual

Kia Sedona
12.8% All 2008 cars
6.4%

Failed outright at MOT: 5.7%, against 2.5% of all 2008 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

Rough price £100–£350 our estimate

At the viewing: On a quiet road, brake firmly from about 30mph. The car should stop straight without pulling.

Better than most

Shock absorbers: 3.3% here, against 8% of all 2008 cars.

By area

The share of 2008 Kia Sedona MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

Suspension

59% of testsRough price £120–£400

At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.
Brakes

41% of testsRough price £150–£350

At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.
Lights and electrics

37% of testsRough price £10–£80

At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.
Tyres

33% of testsRough price £70–£150

At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.
Oil and fluid leaks

20% of testsRough price £80–£600

At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.
Steering

13% of testsRough price £100–£450

At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Feel for play or knocking when turning.

Looking at a Kia Sedona?

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Other years

Year	MOT tests	Most flagged
2011	659	Suspension 42%
2010	760	Suspension 48%
2007	605	Suspension 60%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2008 Kia Sedonas registered in 2008. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score